Several reported dead as gunman opens fire at Christchurch mosque
Multiple people have been reported dead after shootings at two mosques in Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island, with the Armed Officers Squad also called to the Christchurch Hospital.
Worshippers at both the Al Noor Mosque in central Christchurch and the Linwood Mosque have been shot at, with witnesses reporting several have been killed, though officials have not confirmed this.
Dozens of people were reportedly shot by a man wearing military uniform, who emptied at least two magazines.
The New Zealand Herald says one gunman, believed to be Australian, filmed as he shot victims in the mosque - and wrote a 37-page manifesto declaring his intentions.
One witness reported seeing a man with an automatic rifle opening fire during Friday prayers - the busiest time of the week.
Stuff.co.nz reports that the shooters' rifles had "Alexandre Bissonette" and "Luca Traini" written on them - the names of mosque shooters in Italy and Canada.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will be speaking to media from the Decon Hotel in New Plymouth at 4pm New Zealand time.
Shots have also been fired at Christchurch Hospital, which has activated its emergency plan and expects 40-50 victims.
About 20 armed police are clearing buildings in Linwood, across from the Eastgate Mall.
Police are warning people to stay indoors and to report any suspicious behaviour to 111.
All Christchurch schools have been put on lockdown, including Christchurch Girls' and Christchurch Boys' high schools and Hagley Community College.
Parents of Christchurch Girls' students were sent text messages about 2.05pm, which said: "This is not an exercise."
A man, who would not give his name, said he was praying in the Al Noor Mosque when he heard the shooting start.
He escaped, but outside saw his wife lying dead on the footpath.
"My wife is dead," he said, wailing. He was supported by other Muslim men who prayed for him.
Another man said he saw children being shot.
"There were bodies all over me."
A resident on Freyberg Street said she heard "hundreds" of shots and it was "terrifying".
The former president of the Muslim Association of Canterbury, Mohammed Jama, said a man with a gun went into the Al Noor Mosque mosque about 1.40pm on Friday.
He saw about four people injured and two lying on the ground. He did not know if they were alive or dead.
A photographer said he could see three seriously injured people on the doorstep of the mosque.
"A serious and evolving situation is occurring in Christchurch with an active shooter," Police Commissioner Mike Bush said.
"Police are responding with its full capability to manage the situation, but the risk environment remains extremely high.
"Police recommend that residents across Christchurch remain off the streets and indoors until further notice. Christchurch schools will be locked down until further notice."
Police cleared Cathedral Square, where thousands of children were rallying for action on climate change.
Armed police were also trying to clear Deans Avenue and Hagley Park.
A reporter at the scene said the mood was very tense. A lot of people were gathered around the Al Noor Mosque.
A nearby business owner said a lot of of people were praying at the mosque at the time.
"I heard 20 or more gunshots. I thought something happened and the people were running on the other side of Deans Avenue and now I can see so many police," he said.
A man who ran from the mosque told him the shooting happened there.
Cricket team escaped
The Bangladesh cricket team escaped the mosque.
Cricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent Mohammad Isam posted a video to Twitter of the team rushing through Hagley Park away from the mosque.
"Just escaped active shooters!!! Heartbeats pumping badly and panic everywhere!! #ChristchurchMosque," he wrote.
Mario Villavarayen, strength and conditioning coach of the Bangladesh cricket team said the players were shaken up, but fine.
"I spoke to one of them shortly after [the attack]. They didn't see anything but heard gunshots. They were at the ground [Hagley Oval] and just started running.
"The coaching staff were all at the hotel. The players just started running when they heard the shots."
Bangladesh are due to play New Zealand at Hagley Oval on Saturday.
A New Zealand Cricket spokesperson said it was too early to know if match would go ahead.
One woman in the area said she was told by police there was a shooter in Hagley Park.
Another witness reported hearing at least 20 gunshots and saw what she thought was three people on the ground.
A witness said he saw two people walking out of the Al Noor Mosque. A car was chasing the people along Deans Avenue and the people in the car started shooting at them, he said.
A person at the scene said armed police were searching for someone in North Hagley Park. Two ambulances had arrived at the scene.
A witness at the scene said she heard a "bunch of shots" from a building on Deans Avenue.
She saw police on the corner of Lester Lane and Deans Avenue.
They went outside the building, but police stayed them to stay inside.
"We heard police telling a gunman to put their hands up," she said.
More to come
Stuff.co.nz